The Autumn Statement, the Higher Education Bill and Kashmir – some of my week ahead

Posted by Paul Blomfield1446pc on November 21, 2016

All eyes will be on the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he delivers his Autumn Statement which will update Parliament on the Government’s tax and spending plans, although weekend briefings suggest that he won’t be addressing the real issues we face. I’ll be in the Chamber for his Statement on Wednesday, and staying on for a debate on Brexit and transport policy.

As well attending the transport debate, as a Shadow Brexit Minister, I’ll be speaking for the front bench in a debate on the impact of Brexit on universities and I’ll be at a drop-in session for Labour MPs to discuss their concerns on exiting the EU.

Before all of that, the Higher Education and Research Bill is back for its Report Stage debate today. I’ve done a lot of work challenging key parts of the Bill and proposing a number of amendments as you can see here. Today I’ll be concentrating on financial support for refugee students and challenging the Government’s plans to rate teaching in our universities as gold, silver or bronze, as I’m worried about the Government linking it to visa restrictions for international students.

Back in Sheffield on Thursday evening, I’ll be speaking at the monthly meeting of my Constituency Labour Party. On Friday I’ll be meeting with the Finance Director of Sheffield College, doing an interview for Sheffield Hallam University’s new student website, talking to representatives from Manor social enterprise MaTReC, holding one of my regular advice surgeries and catching up with councillors.

On Saturday I’ll be campaigning about the financial crisis facing the NHS, as part of Labour’s National Campaign Day, knocking on doors in Wybourn and Broomhill, and on Sunday I’ll be speaking at the Usmania Jamia Mosque about the situation in Kashmir.